Odisha Uses Telemedicine To Set Up 102 Digital Dispensaries

The Odisha government is planning to set up high-tech digital dispensaries in remote areas of the state. The digital dispensaries will provide primary healthcare services in those areas where healthcare facility is scarce.

The Naveen Patnaik-led government has signed an agreement with Kolkata based Glocal Healthcare Systems to set up 102 such dispensaries in 23 districts of the state. The agreement was signed between the private healthcare service provider and the state government in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Health Minister Pratap Jena.

These healthcare centres would use a telemedicine network and offer facilities such as doctor consultation, basic health check-up and medicines for various diseases including infectious ones. The digital dispensaries will also have medicine ATMs that will dispense the required medicines.

Telemedicine is a technological set-up wherein doctors can diagnose and treat diseases even when they are placed remotely. As per Glocal Health Systems, most of the common treatments and tests including LFT or lipid function tests, KFT or Kidney function tests etc can be done through this medium.

Healthcare experts in the state believe this step by the government will go a long way in addressing the issues faced by the people living in remote areas including tribal and difficult terrains.

Despite repeated attempts by the governments over the years healthcare facilities in these areas have remained a challenge as doctors and healthcare workers do not prefer to be posted in these areas. And those who join, try to remain absent from their service locations.